Notes from Melbourne
plus a chocolate cake recipe for anyone who doesn’t like chocolate cake
I usually sign off my newsletters with a recipe, but this particular one deserves to be the very first thing I talk about this fortnight because JUST LOOK AT IT.
My abstinence from social media has propelled me to bake for no particular reason other than to create something. Plus, I’ll happily sign up to any cake recipe that claims to only need a wooden spoon.
This, friends, is a Recipetin Eats chocolate cake. Like all of Nagi’s recipes, it’s ridiculously easy and delicious. I made two batches (20cm round tins) then stuffed it with dark choc ganache and topped it with a punnet of raspberries.
I’ve never been a big chocolate cake person. I can take it or leave it. This one, though, has become a staple in my house and a go-to for all future celebrations (or just when someone feels like cake).
Make it here!
https://www.recipetineats.com/chocolate-cake/
Melbourne is the only city in the world (other than home) that has seen me at every stage of my life. I’ve visited at least a dozen times since I was 19 or 20. I’ve either been single here, or with family; with girlfriends, or on my own; I’ve pushed strollers here and worked here; collected memories with ex-boyfriends; and almost moved here after a bad break-up. There were some surreal times, too. I remember doing shopping centre appearances at Doncaster with Dyson and being flown over from Perth to the opening of Australia’s first H&M at GPO. I had my hair crimped at a random Korean hairdresser an hour beforehand. It was wild.
I’m back in Melbourne this month - with my travelling circus - and while much has changed 20 years on, this city still feels like home.
Ever determined to keep up with my Monday night substacks, I’m scheduling this one from my phone so: 1. Sorry if the formatting is not what you’re used to and 2. It’s a short newsletter this fortnight.
The time diff is throwing us out of whack a bit (the 3 hour difference means we’re having dinner at 2:30pm Perth time). I’m slowly making a dent in the list of recommendations I’ve been sent (South Melb Markets for a wander, Siglo for a rooftop drink, Gelateria Primavera for scoops for Ricotta, Apricot & Almond gelato, Shunjinko for ramen, Florian for coffee, Cam’s for dinner plus sooo much more).
Next week we’re doing some roadtripping around Tasmania which will be a lovely respite and a ‘proper’ holiday, in some ways.
I’ll leave you with some solid packing choices I made:
Matteau cotton dress, Prada nylon bum bag (I wear it cross body for day, then shorten the strap and wear it over one shoulder at night - like a croissant bag) and those Alaia mesh dupes by Alias Mae - 11/10 travel shoes that are up to chic, Melbourne standards.
Tonight’s sunset was really something too.
M xx